Full HDTV Television

A popular topic in televisions nowadays is full HDTV (full high definition television). This is due to the full changeover of digital television (DTV) signal on June 12, 2009. With this transition complete, everyone has access to HDTV signal. However, not everyone has HD display because in order to get it, you must have an HDTV display television.

For HDTV, resolution is the key word, defining how detailed an image can be displayed without blurring. Those who opted for the HD converter box are still viewing a picture on an analogue CRT screen .NTSC-analogue TV resolution is defined as 480i. The ‘i’ means interlaced. This results from the TV camera having 480 horizontal lines of resolution while the CRT tube has only 240 lines available. So every other line of the 480 is simultaneously scanned for 1/60th of a second then the remaining lines are scanned. Hence, the TV signal is “interlaced” giving the appearance of more vertical resolution. With an aspect ratio of 4:3 (width x height), the analogue television resolution can be described as 640 x 480i.

HDTV and full HDTV are different from analogue TV due to the resolution of each. The standard HDTV has a resolution of 720i or 720p while a full HDTV has a resolution of 1080i or 1080p. The “p” instead of the “i” stands for progressive scanning. This means that the vertical scans are done simultaneously. Using a 16:9 aspect ratio, the standard HDTV is has 1520 x 720 pixels and the full HDTV has 1920 x 1080 pixels.

The full HDTC is the product that is most favourable, but on TVS with a smaller screen than 42 inches, the difference in the resolution between the standard and full HDTVs isn’t noticeable. Therefore, any TV that has a smaller screen than 42 inches is only available in standard HDTV. So, if you want to have full JDTV, you will need to purchase a TV that is 42 inches or larger.

The three options available for full HDTV are rear projection, full HD plasma, and full HD LCD TV. The rear projection TVs are still available, but the demand for them isn’t great and a lot of TV makers aren’t producing them any longer. Therefore, you should stay away from the purchase of these. This leaves you with the other two options. When deciding between the other two, response time, contrast ratio, and color reproduction should be considered.

Full HDTV plasma displays are bright, have a wide color range, and can be produced in fairly large sizes, up to 58 inches is commercially available. Because the display panel is only about 6 cm (2.5 inches) thick, the overall thickness is about 4 to 6 inches. Contrast ratios are as high as 50K to 100K are claimed but, in reality, the highest available in stores is 30K with response times at 0.001 milliseconds and refresh frequencies of 600 Hz. Fast response times make plasma TV’s ideal for fast motion video (films or sports viewing). Plasma screens also are said to have better color reproduction than LCDs and to have a wider viewing angle.

One disadvantage is the power requirements in a plasma TV. The requirements can be as high as 500 watts. In addition, plasma TVs are traditionally heavier than LCD displays. However, the plasma can be mounted on a wall and the LCD display can’t.

Full HDTV LCDs have the same resolution, 1080p, as plasma HDTV. Initially, slow response times in LCD sets could result in ghosting on fast-moving images. However, refresh rates have decreased to about 2 ms with a 240Hz refresh rate. The contrast ratios have also been improved to 30K. Full HDTV LCD’s are less expensive for the high-end systems necessary for full HDTV.

A note of caution, except for resolution, when comparing specifications many reviewers question their accuracy and their meaningfulness to your viewing experience. My advice is judge for your self. In conclusion, barring financial and/or physical restraints or simple preference for smaller TV size, full HDTV is the obvious choice. If striving for a home theatre experience, make sure your full HDTV is compatible with the entire system you are planning.